PCL Local Hiring Plan Due Back at Council Soon

The discussion over local hiring on the City’s Central Library project will return to the City Council soon.

PCL Construction Services is due to return with a more defined local hiring plan. Earlier this month the City Council held up a $177 million contract after Councilmembers broadened the conversation beyond the library itself and raised larger questions about how Pasadena ensures local residents and businesses benefit when public dollars are spent.

Staff outlined outreach efforts intended to connect local contractors and workforce partners to the project, but several Councilmembers said they want to see more detailed plans and measurable benchmarks before moving forward.

“I think we should have a dedicated person within the city who is tracking this, or form a task force to track this,” said Councilmember Justin Jones.

Jones said the City should consider creating an internal role or task force to track local hiring and local business participation across major infrastructure projects, not only for the library renovation but also for future efforts such as redevelopment along the 710 corridor.

Jones and Councilmember Tyron Hampton pushed forward the conversation.

Hampton said he was not prepared to support advancing the contract without a clearer local hire strategy in place, reflecting concerns that expectations should be established early rather than addressed after construction begins.

Mayor Victor Gordo pointed to lessons from past development efforts, including the 10 West Walnut project, where local hiring and procurement expectations were incorporated into agreements at the outset.

Councilmember Rick Cole, a longtime advocate for local hiring, made the motion to pause on the contract until the City Council can review the local hiring plan.

Setting those expectations in writing early, Councilmembers noted, can help ensure local participation goals translate into measurable outcomes.

One local contractor said he was optimistic that PCL would produce a plan that would benefit the City.

“Local contractors should be a part of every local project,” said Jamie Potter. “We should be able to share in the prosperity so we can put food on our tables.”

There have been local hiring successes including the Bridge Housing’s Heritage Square project.

Vice Mayor Jess Rivas and Councilmember Jason Lyon also supported hearing more on the local hiring plan.

For years, Pasadena has wrestled with how best to implement local hiring. The City adopted its First Source Hiring Ordinance more than two decades ago, aimed at encouraging local residents’ participation on projects receiving City assistance. Programs such as Pasadena First later sought to promote local business participation in municipal contracting.